Tyres

[johno]

At last gents I have decided which tyres to go for.... I''ve had debates on whether to go for 55 profile tyres so I could get SO2''s etc I''ve had debates as to whether the S series (excl. V8S) requires ''Z'' rated tyres. The handbook itself only suggests V rated to start with ! So in search of 205/60/VR15''s I have been...... 60''s because I need the ground clearance eps. with a new exhaust in the offing. V rated because as quick as my S is, it does exert the kind of stresses that Z rated tyres are built to withstand. It''s not a 4.5 Cerberra - yet ! A couple of weeks of searching and discussions and advice and looking at tyres etc etc etc etc etc etc I''ve finally decided which ones I''m going for ! Bridgestone RE720''s. I finally spoke with Micheldever who are going to fit them for me £68 a piece for all four. I wished to stay with Bridgestones as the RE71''s were good in the dry, crap in the wet. I could have had Goodyear F1''s for less mony but they are a bit long in the tooth now and the reports back from the Bridgestones are very good indeed. Yokohamas are regarded as poor in the wet, and I use mine 12 months of the year ! Avon ZZ1''s my father has on his spider and was not overly excited about their wet weather performance or their tendency to understeer when being used enthusiastically. Although he seems to think they work better after being scrubbed a little. The tyres are going on on Saturday AM. I shall put on 200 miles of general and motorway use upto Cadwell Park to let them bed in and then I''ll give them a bit of enthusiastic use and report back on their performance.... Cheers for all you suggestions in previous posts. Mark

[shpub]

IF you have a V8S, fit Z rated tyres. The speed ratings also refer to how well the tyre copes with acceleration. You might not exceed 149 mph but as the car can do 0-60 in 5 secs or less, the acceleration factor is one to consider. The V8S was originally fitted with Z tyres and if the insurance company finds the car with VR tyres, they may have grounds for refusing claims. The best tyre is simply a Bridgestone SO2. Regards Steve www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[johno]

I'm in total agreement with you Steve. That's why I put "(excl. V8S)" in my comments on V v's Z ratings. It does generate sufficient stresses to demand a Z rating. Cheers Mark

[Charlie_U]

I await your findings with interest. My S02s are getting near worn out and I am thinking of going to a 60 profile tyre. Apart from anything else I don't think 55s really look right - don't fill the arches. However - you have to be careful not to upset the SO2 mafia! Charlie.

[johno]

I did feel very contraversional and subversive by daring to order a tyre that was other than the SO2 or even the new SO3. I will have a good idea of its performance by Monday night after I've raced my dad to Cadwell along the A17 and then the back roads of Lincolnshire. I'll report back hopefully with good findings.... Cheers Mark

[johno]

I would say after 800 miles this last 5 days that I am very happy with the performance of the new Bridgestones. I have used them both in the dry and the wet to very wet and they have performed very very well. I'm chuffed to bits with them.... Unfortunately I bent a wheel yesterday in Newark and now need to have the front set up again after I put on a spare wheel from the cellar Thats buggered the front set up I had done on Saturday - AR&^* ! Cheers Mark

[shpub]

quote:I'm in total agreement with you Steve. That's why I put "(excl. V8S)" in my comments on V v's Z ratings. It does generate sufficient stresses to demand a Z rating

Yes I noticed after sending but it does no harm to make things absolutely clear. I have seen some pretty strange tyres used on TVRs which made the car a deathtrap so I am pretty sensitive to some of the comments. Regards Steve www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[johno]

I was alarmed at some of the tyres on cars when I was looking to buy mine. It does tend to say something about the owner when they have touring tyres or cheapo sports tyres I wouldn't put on a Robin Reliant fitted to TVR's !!!

[Dave_H]

I had the same experience with a girl that work for me, she's got a Golf 16v, ok not a real roadburner but capable of 120MPH and a fair stress on the tyres. She's happy to spend £50 a month on a car valet, but skimps on re-moulds/cheap no-brand tyres (and mixing them, not buying in pairs/all 4) Finally converted her when explaining the adverage four tyre footprint is the size of of an A4 sheet of paper!